MAJIYA: An explosion killed at least 147 people who were collecting fuel from a crashed tanker in northern Nigeria, officials said on Wednesday. The incident occurred in Majiya, Jigawa state, after a fuel tanker overturned while trying to avoid another vehicle.
The tragedy unfolded when residents gathered around the tanker to scoop up the leaking fuel. Student Sanusi Lawan told AFP he had heard “shouts of joy” as people rushed to collect the fuel with buckets. He joined the crowd but left after his brother warned him not to return for more. Shortly after, a massive explosion occurred, causing chaos and devastation.
“We rushed to the place, and it was a scene of horror,” Lawan recalled. “People were running while on fire and shouting for help. Had I not listened to my brother, I would have been among the dead.”
Local officials said that dozens of victims were burned beyond recognition, and mass burials were carried out. Hambali Zarga, the local government chairman, stated that the 147 dead were buried in one mass grave, but the death toll could rise as more bodies are found. Around 140 injured residents are being treated in nearby hospitals.
In response to the tragedy, the Nigerian Medical Association urged doctors to rush to emergency rooms to assist with the influx of patients. In the capital, Abuja, Nigerian lawmakers observed a minute of silence in the Senate to honor the victims.
Condolences and Support
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed his condolences and pledged support for those affected. He also promised a swift review of fuel transportation safety protocols across the country.
Fuel tanker explosions are frequent in Nigeria, where poorly maintained roads and high poverty levels lead to such tragedies. Since the removal of fuel subsidies last year, the price of petrol has increased fivefold, making it a precious commodity. Desperation has grown, particularly after the state oil company hiked prices again recently.
Lawan Shiisu Adam, a police spokesman, said officers tried to stop the crowd but were overwhelmed. Eyewitnesses supported this claim, citing widespread poverty as the driving force behind the crowd’s actions.
“There is pervasive poverty in the country, and people will do anything to get what they need to eat,” said Buhari Ali, a civil servant who took part in the mass burial. “People are hungry, and they could not afford to miss such a rare opportunity.”
Fuel-related accidents are common in Nigeria. In 2020, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) recorded 1,531 tanker accidents, resulting in 535 deaths. Last month, another fuel tanker accident in Niger state killed at least 59 people. The FRSC reported that more than 5,000 people died in road accidents in 2023, following nearly 6,500 deaths the previous year.
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